Probability and proportioning switch



June 24, 1952 D. E. HOOKER PROBABILITY AND FROPORTIONING SWITCH FiledJan 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 uuSw INVENTOR. Donald .E. Hooker a? FiledJan. 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 24, 1952 D. E. HOOKER 2,601,524

PROBABILITY AND PROPORTIONING SWITCH INVENTOR.

Donald E. Hooker June 24, 1952 D. E. HOOKER 2,601,524

PROBABILITY AND PROPORTIONING SWITCH Filed Jan. 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet3 Z:JE. 4

MD) m5 IN V EN TOR. Donald E Hooker lea/g g June 24, 1952 D. E. HOOKER2,501,524

PROBABILITY AND PROPORTIONING SWITCH Filed Jan. 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet4 IN V EN TOR. Donald E Hooker Patented June 24, 1952 UNITED PROBABILITYAND 'PROPORTIONING SWITCH DonaldE. Hooker, Skokie, Ill., assignor toRaymond T. Moloney, Chicago, Ill.

Application. Januar 19, 1950, Serial No. 139,423

23 Claims. 1

This invention has as its principal object the provision of amotor-driven circuit control unit in the nature of a rotary switch.contrived to afford predetermined probabilities of procuring variousnumbers of control pulses for each cycle of operation thereof withoutregard to how frequently or rapidly the cycling may occur, or whetherthe cycling is random or regulated.

Viewed from anotheraspect, the disclosure provides a probability andproportionin switch of general application, but which has been appliedin particular to amusement apparatus for the purpose of modifying theopportunities for scorin at certain times or in a certain field of play,for example in bowling or shuflle games, or in a ball rol-ling gamehaving a plurality of game switches adapted to be closed by a ball,where the switches may be connected in various groups intended tohavedifferent scoring values at different times.

A detailed object is the provision of a probability switch consistingbasically of a pair of discs, clutch-driven and impositively coupled torotate together, but also rotatable relative to each other, with anindexing brake which involves the probability of stopping both discs oronly one disc in a given cycle of operation, and indexing means suchthat, should one disc (called the probability disc) be stopped, then theother (called the stop disc) would continue to rotate certainproportioned angular distances for the remainder of the cycle to yieldvarious predetermined numbers of control pulses through a switch on onedisc and operating responsive to relative movement of the other disc.

Another detailed object is the provision, in a probability andproportioning'switch, of a probability disc having two peripheral levelsof indexing contact on which an index brake pawl may ride, theperipheral index-riding surfaces or lands at one of these levels beingof different arcuate lengths, calculated on the basis of one completerelativerevolution of a companion stop disc, to yield a predeterminedfixed ratio of probabilities for getting 1, '2', 3' N switch pulses percycle, such that whenever the indexer is released for stopping. actionthere will be a definite percentage relationship between the lengths ofare which may be probably engaged to stop one of the discs, and theresultant arc of travel remainin for the other disc until the latter isalso stopped.

Another object is to provide a probability and ,proportioning switchunit operable to give fixed probabilities of getting difierent pulsecounts by means of a simplified probability and pulse proportioningmechanism which eliminates a good deal of equipment, such as rotarycommutating switches havi g variously connected groups and banks ofpulse contacts, and associated relay and transfer switching mechanism required heretofore for these purposes.

Another object is the provision of a proper tioning switch consisting ofa pair of coaxially rotatable discs and slip-clutch means for rotatingsaid discs simultaneously from a motor shaft,

an index brake normally stopping both discs until the brake is releasedfor a cycle of operation, one of-the discs, called the probability disc,also being rotatable relative to the other disc, called the stop disc,the index brake being operable so that it may at times stop only theprobability disc or both discs, and there being an impulse switch whichis operated only as a result of movement of the two discs relative toeach other, the number of switch pulses resulting from such relativedisc motion depending upon which one of several proportioning stop teethis engaged on the probability disc, and the amount of relativedisplacement obtained during the cycle between the two discs (beforethey complete their pulsing cycle following each complete operation ofthe indexer) determining how many pulses will be produced by the switch,the proportion of pulses yielded always being in a fixed ratio to thepermitted amount of travel remaining for the stop disc after theprobability disc has been stopped.

Additional objects and aspects of novelty pertain to structural andfunctionaldetails of the embodiment illustrated in the annexed drawings,in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded, schematic, perspective of the switch unit andillustrative circuit connec tions therefor;

Fig. 2 is an end view, in elevation, of the unit showing the indexclutch and stop disc;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the unit looking down upon theparts of Fig. 2, and showing in addition the probability disc and springtherefor;

Fig. 4 is a sidewise' elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3';

Fig. 5 is an inside elevational view of the stop disc showing the pulseswitch;

Fig. 6 is an inside elevational View of the probability disc showing theprobability teeth and switch-operating studs;

Fig, 7 is a vertical sectional detail through the disc assembly, lookingin the direction of lines of Fig. 3;

Figs. 8, 9, and are sectional details through the concentric shaftstructure and taken respectively along lines 8-8; 9-9; and I6I0 of Fig.7.

Referring to Fig. 1, the control assembly includes a motor I!) withbuilt-in reduction gear to drive a long shaft II, on which is a primarysleeve I2, there being a secondary sleeve I3 fitted freely on the saidprimary sleeve I2.

A probability disc I4 is mounted fast on the secondary sleeve I3, and astop disc I5 is mounted fast on the main sleeve I 2 and is provided withperipheral indexing teeth I5A.

Actually, the two discs I4 and I5 are closely in juxtaposition as shownin Fig. 7, wherein the aforesaid sleeve and shaft structures are alsoclearly shown.

A commutator ring assembly I6 is rigidly joined by bolts H to the stopdisc I5, and this assembly includes a slip clutch friction disc I8driven by a similar drive disc I9 pressed into frictional drivingengagement therewith by a spring working (as in Fig. 7 between cupwashers 22 on shaft II, the clutch disc I9 being keyed fast on shaft IIso that the tendency is to cause the stop disc I5 and primary sleeve I2to rotate with the drive shaft I I, unless restrained as by the indexbrake.

The probability disc, as shown in Fig. 7, is pro vided with a torsionspring 24 having one end 24A anchored to the disc and its other end 24Banchored in a key washer 25 fast on the primary sleeve I2, as a resultof which (among other things) the probability disc I4 tends to rotate instep with the stop disc I5, since the driving effort of the main shaftis transmitted through the slip clutch means I8--I 9-20 to the stop discand primary sleeve, While effort of the main shaft through the primarysleeve, the keyed washer and the torsion spring likewise tends to rotatethe probability disc I4 at the same rate. Certain normally interengagedstop pins on the discs also afford an impositive coupling means for thediscs, as will presently appear.

Index brake means for holding and cycling the discs includes a lever 28(Figs. 1 and 2) pivoted at 29 and urged by spring 35 to'project an indexarm 36 into the stop disc teeth ISA, and also into certain peculiarlyshaped probability teeth MA, MB, etc., to be described in detailhereinafter, whereby the stop disc is normally restrained from rotating,as also is the probability disc, owing to engagement of stop pins 31 and38 on the two discs, said stop pins, as well as the torsion spring meansconstituting yieldable coupling means for said discs, eifective underdifferent condition to permit or prevent relative motion of dics I4 andI5.

Should the index arm 36 not lodge in the root of the probability teeth,the stop disc would continue to rotate a limited amount, and theprobability disc might likewise be permitted a predetermined amount ofrelative displacement, depending upon which probability arc or land theindexer has lodged.

Thus, there is the possibility of relative angular displacement asbetween the stop and probability discs when only the stop disc isarrested by the index arm.

However, this relative angular displacement between the two discs I4 andI5 is limited to a maximum of 360, by reason of a pair of stop pins 31and 38 (Figs. 1 and 3) on said discs; and actually, for reasons toappear, said relative disc displacement is further limited) in theillustrative embodiment) to something slightly less than 360 by an indexor cycling stop.

It is important to observe in Fig. 1 that the stop disc I5 has anadditional stop 40 on the opposite side thereof from the stop pin 38 andspaced angularly or in a circumferential sense from the latter apredetermined amount as depicted more precisely in Fig. 2. Stop 40 iscalled the index or cycling stop.

Said cycling stop 40 engages an index projection 36A on the index armwhen the latter is in partly raised or normal stopping position, as inFig. 1.

Means for releasing the index brake includes a solenoid 4I (Figs. 1 to4) having plunger 42 (Fig. 2) pivotally linked at 43 to the index lever28, such that when the solenoid is energized from an auxiliary controlcircuit, the index arm 36 is rocked down or clockwise in Fig. 1, thusfreeing both discs I4 and I5 for joint rotation, which will continueindefinitely so long as the index brake is thus retracted. Nothing elsehappens at this time, although for convenience such a release of theindex brake may be'considered as the initiation or starting of a controlcycle.

At this juncture, it is desirable to refer to the constructions shown inFigs. 5 and 6, and to observe that on the inside of the stop disc I5 isthe impulse switch 45 of the leaf-spring variety, one of the contactblades of which is provided with a roller 46 positioned to travel overswitch-operating studs 4'! arranged in a circle on the inside face ofthe probability disc I4, such that when these discs are relativelymoving the switch will be closed a number of times, depending upon therelative angular displacement permitted, and how many studs 41 theswitch roller 46 passes over.

The peculiar formation of the probability teeth I4A, B F, in accordancewith Fig. 6, is characterized by the provision of three peripherallevels (considering the tooth I4F) starting with the root portion ormain periphery I4X of the disc, and rising to the next higher (orradially greater) level or arcuate land I4Y, and ending with the stillhigher (radially greater) apex or stop portions or peaks I4Z.

Still regarding Figs. 5 and 6, it is to be understood that the rootdepth (radial depth) of the teeth I5A on the stop disc is substantiallythe same as the root depths I4X on the probability disc.

Thus, if the index arm after a release thereof, happens to lodge back inthe root portion I4X it will also lodge in the root level of one of theteeth I5A, and both discs will stop at once, because their respectivestop pins 3! and 38 are normally engaged (owing to effort of the torsionspring 24) and the probability disc cannot move if the stop disc isarrested.

If, however, it is assumed that the index pawl 36 lodges on one of thearcuate lands or probability arcs, such as I4Y, the index is preventedthereby from dropping in between any of the stop disc teeth I5A, inconsequence of which the stop disc will continue to rotate. But it isalso important to observe in this situation that the probability discwill continue to rotate until the apex or peak portion I4X (in thisexample) advances against the index arm and stops the disc I4, while thecompanion stop disc I5 continues for a limited rotation until the indexstop 40 strikes the index arm projection 36A, which will be sufficientlyelevated (when the index rides on a land) for this purpose.

In the iormer example, where both discs stopped at-once (index at rootlevels), no switch pulses whatever will result; but in the latterexample, where the index rides on a land, pulses will result-how manydepending on which land is engaged, and where the index stop 4|] happensto be at the time the index pawl falls on the land (1. e. close to, orremote from, the corresponding apex or peakv HZ) Referring to Fig. 6, itwill be observed that the maximum number of pulses in the-embodimentchosen is six, there being only six of the studs 41, and these aresituated relative to the stops and. distributed relative to thedifferent lengths of land are so that the shortest arcs tend to yieldthe largest number of pulses, there being six lands. In this instance,the difference in arcuate length of the lands for probability teeth|4Aand MB is barely perceptable, but the relative differences becomegreatly marked toward the end of the series of teeth (at ME).

The probability of the index pawl 36 lodging in the very small notchesafforded by the shorter lands on teeth MA, MB, is much less than thatfor teeth I i-E or HF, for instance; yet the proportion of pulses whichwill result, should the index fall onto any of the lands rather thanonto the root level, will always be fixed because the ratio of thearcuate lengths of the lands to the permitted terminal or homing travelfor the stop disc, once the probability disc is stopped, is always fixedby the angular ,locationof the index stop 40.

In the actual construction, as depicted in Fig. 7, the assembly iscompleted by certain circuit connections through the commutator 16, thelatter in this instance consisting of. two brass contact rings I'BA, [5Bseparated by an insulating disc [60 of larger diameter, and also flankedby similar discs, so that said contact rings lie in annular grooves.

The commutator contact rings BIA, |5B are clamped between the assemblyof insulating discs by a header IGD, which is pulled up by bolts againstthe filler discs |.6E', and tight against the stop disc I15.

As in Figs. 2 and 3, there are provided a pair of spring commutatorwipers NSF. and 16G clamped between insulating collars |6H secured to apost 30A (Fig. 2) on plate. 30, the free ends of these contact springsriding respectively on corresponding commutator rings USA or I513.

The impulse switch 45 (Fig. 5) has two contact blade terminals 45A and45B which are connected respectively to one of the commutator rings |6Aor IGB by connection pins (not seen) extending into the commutator discassembly and into engagement with each of the rings.

Operation An illustrative circuit arrangement is depicted in Fig. l,whichis best explained by describin the operating cycles.

Assuming motor Hi tobe running, main drive shaft turns continuouslycarrying clutch disc IS with it, and tending thereby to rotate the stopdisc l5 through the other clutch discs l8, etc., and tending to turnsleeve 12. 1

However, the index arm 3'5 is normally raised by spring 315- to engagein stop discteeth- ItA, so that the stop disc is. restrained againstrotation. The probability disc. |.4- andv the secondary sleeve |3. areturned by the torsionnormalizing spring 24 (refer to Fig. 7; here) untilstop pin 31 abuts stop pin 38 on the stop disc, because the key washer.25 .is fast onthe primary sleeve and anchors one end of saidnormalizing spring, so that the effort of the other end thereof is freeto rotate the floating probability disc and its own or secondary sleevel3 the. amount permitted by said step pins.

In this condition of the discs, the index arm 36 will also be lodged atthe root level on the probability disc, for reasons to appear, as aresult of normalizing action of the torsion spring 24 at the beginningof each operating cycle, to turn the probability disc relative to thestop disc until pins 3'! and .38 engage.

The index solenoid may be energized by pushing down on the button of themaster switch (Fig. I) so that contact blade 6| engages contact 62 toclose circuit from battery 63 and connect power via conductor 64 to oneterminal of solenoid 4|, the remaining terminal of the solenoid beingconnected by conductor 65 to the returnconnection with battery or powersource 63.

Energization of index coil 4|, as aforesaid, rocks the indexllever 28clockwise, withdrawing the index arm 36 fully from all disc teeth, and

at once the two discs l4 and I5 rotate in step,

and will continue to do so until the coil 4| is deenergized and theindex arm is released for return by its spring toward normal indexingposition.

If now it is assumed that the index arm 35 falls fully down (up) intothe root level (i. e. MX), it will also drop into the root of stop teethIEA, and both discs I4 and I5 will stop at once, and no impulsingwhatever of switch 45 occurs.

However, should the index arm fall onto the intermediate radial level orarcuate land MY, the probability disc I4 would be quickly stoppedwhenth-e associated apex or tooth MZ abutted the index arm, but the stopdisc would continue to rotate because the radial level of the land MY(and of all lands) is too great to permit the index arm to drop inbetween any of the teeth [5A, and accordingly, the stop disc |5continues to turn, and the two stop pins 31 and 38' now begin to drawapart.

New, .by reason of the probability disc l4 standingstill, and the stopdisc I5 continuing to turn, the resultant relative angular displacementof these two discs causes the switch roller 46 to ride over. one or moreimpulse studs 41 to close switch 45 a corresponding number of times;conductors 66 (Fig. 1) leading from the switch terminals 65A, 45B to thecorresponding commutator rings IE'A and I613, from which the circuit isextended via spring wipers IBF and |6G and conductors 61 and 68 to anenergizing circuit for the coil 69 of a pulse relay, power for which isconnected from source 63 via conductor 70 through coil 69, and viaconductor 61 through the commutator and impulse switch means 45A, 4513,ISA, |6B, IGF, HSG, conductor 68, and master switch contact 6 0 closedwith contact 6| back to the power source 63, it being noted thatcontacts 60 and 8 lare normally closed.

Thus, the number of operations of the impulse switch .45 effected byrelative motion of the discs l4 and. [5 will energize the impulse relaymeans 69 a corresponding number of times, causing operation or closureof impulse relay contacts 69A accordingly, for purposes of controlling adesired instrumentality, indicated in the block labeled Controlleddevice, it being assumed. that the master switch button is onlymomentarily depressed to start the cycle, so that contacts 60 and 6| mayclose to restore the impulse relay circuit through the impulse switch,contacts 60 and 6| being opened merely to prevent operation of the relayduring normalizing motion of the discs.

The number of pulses thus afforded by switch 45 depends upon which ofthe lands associated with the probability teeth MA HF the index armengages, if any, it being recalled that the longer land arcs yield thefewer pulses according to the predetermined distribution of impulsestuds 41 relative to the several lands and their angular distancerelative to the index stop stud 40. This arrangement is arbitrary andmay be determined empirically for any desired application of the device,depending upon the probability and proportioning percentages desired.

The aforesaid proportioning of the number of pulses inversely to thelength of the land may be modified or reversed. In the presentembodiment it is desired that the device yield the greater number ofpulses less frequently, it being now apparent that this is accomplishedby reason of the fact that there is less probability of the indexlodging upon the shorter lands with which the larger number of pulsestuds are associated, as aforesaid.

For example, the probability disc may be designed in this respect toyield zero pulses about 80 per cent of the time; one pulse about 10 percent of the time; two pulses about per cent of the time; three pulsesabout 4 per cent of the time; four pulses about 1 per cent of the time,and so-on.

Now, it will be understood that when the disc I4, only, is arrested bythe index arm following a starting release of said arm to initiate acycle, the primary sleeve continues to rotate because disc I4 is notfast, but floats thereon, and in consequence, the normalizing torsionspring 24 is wound through turning of the key washer 25, and thiswinding action wil1 be limited or stopped when the pins 31 and 38 :arein reverse abutment, after the stop disc has turned (relatively) throughthe nearly one revolution permitted by said pins.

Considering only this much of the aforesaid result of such relative discdisplacement, it will now be apparent that the index arm will hold thetwo discs in this relative condition (with spring 24 wound up) untilsuch time as a new cycle is initiated and the index arm is released,this latter action resulting in freeing both discs, with the addedresult that the normalizing torsion spring 24 will immediately turn theprobability disc l4 back to its normal starting position relative to thestop disc [5 with the stop pins 31 and 38 in the normal abutment (asdistinguished from the aforesaid reverse abutment) shown in Fig. 2.

Thus, each initial cycling release of the index will cause a restorationand normalizing of the relative starting positions of the two discs l4and I5 if said discs have been relatively displaced. In those instanceswhere the very short arcuate index lands (as in tooth MA) have beeninvolved, the restorative, normalizing travel of the probability disc isvery slight and conversely, with the teeth (e. g. MF) having the longerlands.

Resuming the description of the functional results flowing from relativeangular movement of the two discs [4 and I5, as aforesaid, it isimportant to note the effect of the indexing stop or stud 40, and toobserve that because of its location relative to the pin stop 38, it ispossible for this stop 40 to be disposed on either side of the indexprojection 36A at a time when the relative displacement of discs l4 and[5 starts, so that the stop disc l4 may be permitted greater or lesseramounts of travel (up to about 360) before this stop 40 strikes theindex stop 36A, and the impulse studs 4'! are angularly distributed andlocated relative to the probability lands (e. g. MY) to yield theaforesaid inverse pulse counts, e. g. one pulse when tooth MF (havingthe longest land) is involved, or six pulses when the tooth MA (havingthe shortest land) is involved, etc.

Each operating cycle begins with a release of the index arm, followed bya normalizing of the discs to relative starting positions (where therehas been a relative displacement), and the cycle may be consideredterminated when both discs l4 and I5 come to rest following a release ofthe index arm, it being observed, however, that such coming to rest mayoccur in one of two ways: either by a stoppage of the stop disc byroot-homing of the index arm, or by a terminal homing or stoppage of thestop disc by the index stop 40, as described above.

Thus, it will appear that probabilities for procuring any pulses at all,or any particular number of pulses, are determined by the arcuatelengths, distribution, and number of lands afforded for engagement ofthe index arm or pawl; and the number of pulses yielded is a function ofthe distribution and number of pulse studs 41 in relation to the landsand the index stop 43.

The invention is not limited to the precise details of construction andoperation disclosed, for the number and distribution of the pulse studs,as well as the probability pattern as determined by the length anddistribution of the probability lands, may be varied considerablyaccording to the particular requirements of any given application of theswitch unit. Moreover, the invention contemplates that the pulse andprobability ranges may be increased, with corresponding possibilities ofvariations, by enlarging the size or number of the relatively movabledisc elements and expanding the capacity for impulse studs andprobability teeth, and various arrangements thereof.

I claim:

1. A rotary switch device comprising two coaxially rotatable discs, onecarrying a pulse switch and the other carrying switch-operating pulsestuds, said switch being operated as a result of relative turning ofsaid discs, slip-clutch drive means tending to rotate a first one ofsaid discs, means yieldingly coupling said discs for joint rotation bysaid drive means, index means cooperable with both discs to engage teeththerein, the teeth on each disc being formed with respect to radialdepths such that said index means may engage said teeth variously tostop one disc only, or to stop both discs, index stop means for limitingthe displacement of one disc when turning relative to the other, andmeans for normalizing said discs automatically to a relative startingposition following each relative displacement thereof.

2. In a rotary switch, a pair of coaxially rotatable discs,disc-actuated switch means operable by rotary motion of one discrelative to the other, power means tending to rotate said discs jointlyand index means cooperable with said discs and normally arresting bothdiscs, and operable by an auxiliary control to release the discs forjoint rotation, and means on the discs cotoothed formations on all ofthe same so as tohold one or'both of said members against rotationdepending upon which tooth formations are engaged by said brake, meanson said members coupling one ofthe same with the otherto drive the samejointly when said brake is released,

and permitting rotation of one ofsaid members relativeto the other whenone memberjonly is stopped" by said brake; and impulse switch meansactuated only by rotative movementof" one of saidmembersrelativeto'theother;

4; A switchinaccordance with claim 3 and further characterized; in thatsaid coupling means includes coacting stops abutting in a startingposition with one-saidmembe'r' in a predetermined position of rotationrelative to th'e other, and one of said members is provided withnormalizingspring meanstensioned' by relative displacement of saidmembers" from starting. position to restore the same to startingposition when said brake is released.

5. The structure of claim '3 further characterized by the provision onone of said members of an index stop cooperable with said' index brakewhen the latter is actuated to hold one; member so that said members aremoving relatively, to 1 stop themoving one of said members.

6. In a rotary switch, a driven shaft, a; pair of discs rotatable onsaid shaft, yieldable clutch means driving one of said discs, meansimpositively coupling said discs for joint rotation such that eitherdisc may be held" while the other turns, coacting switch" and switchactuating means carried by said discs-and operable to ac-' tuate theswitch means as a result of turning of one disc relative tothe other,and brake means cooperab'le with said'discs' to hold one or'botn ofthesame against rotationbysaid drivenshaft.

7. The constructionof claim 6" i'rrwhicn-said brake means includes stopmeans'coacting' with that oneof the discs which" is" not held"againstrotation while the otheris-held, to limitthe rota tive displacement ofthe relatively" rotating'disc to a predetermined angul'ar'amount,whereby to establish an operating cycle for the discs-during Which apredetermined maximum number of switch operations may occur; andangulariy' spaced proportioningformations on the lield disc, and"cooper'able with said brake means, and dependent upon limitingactiono'fsaid stop means, to determine the number of switchoperatio'ns"to result from relative displacement of said discs during any operatingcyclethereofl.

8; In a rotary switch, a pair of juxtaposeddiscs mounted for rotation,means for rotating said discs jointly and for rotating a certain one ofthe discs alone, switch means including parts associated with both discsand actuated only by rotation of said certain di'sc'relative totheotli'er with the latter at rest, to give a variable number of pulsesdepending upon the angular relation of said discs at the start ofsaidrelative rotation, and index means cooperable' with both discs to holdthe sameat rest, and'operable' to release the same for joint rotation,and thereafter stop one disc and permit the" certain otneridisc toconrota-table discs one of which has peripheral stop teeth of apredetermined radial depth and located at acertain radial: distance andthe other of which has peripheral lands lying at a greater radialdistance, eachland lying at a radial level situated between a stoppingapex and the root levelof the saidste teeth, a drive shaft common to"the discs, y ieldableclutch and coupling means tending torotat' saiddiscs together from said Shaft, an index '3} common to said discs andengageable s'aidstop teeth to prevent rotation of both discs, andfurther engageablewith any of said lands to hold the corresponding discwithout engaging in said stop teeth, whereby the disc having thestop'teetli is free to rotate while the other disc held, control switchmeans including cooperative-switch parts carried by said discs andopra'blein switch action only respons'ive to rotation of one discrelative to the other, and means for actuating said arm for effectingengagement and disengagement thereof various- 1y with" said teeth andlandformations to effect a holding or' joint rotation of both discs, orto holdone'discrelativetotheother.

10'. A switch according to-claim- 9 and in which said landsareofin'crea'sing' angular length about the-periphery of the'correspondingdisc and the said switch parts thereon include a plurality ofswitch-operating studs angularly distributed in a predeterminedrelationtosa-id lands.

1 1. A switch inaccordance with claim 10 and which said discs havemutually engageable stops; and one of saiddiscs is spring-urged tonormalize said discs to a startingrelation with said} stops mutually--engaging during joint rotation of the-discs;

1- 2; A switch according to claim 11 and in which thatcertain one of'thediscs which is free torotate while th other is held by the index arm hasan index stopeng'ageame with an index member on saidarmwhile the latteris engaged on a land to limit 'the free rotation of the certain discrelative to thehelddisc;

1-3". A switch according to claim 1 2-and further includingelectromagnetic actuating means for said index arm and an auxiliarycontrol circuit for said electromagnetic means and connected to beopened andclosed by said control switch means.

14.- probability and proportioning switch comprising a stop disc havingperipheral stop tBeth With root levels, a probability disc havingperipheralprobability teeth each adjoined by an arcuate l'and' differingin length from each other,

each" land being adjoint'ed by a root periphery,

11' disc so that the latter is free to rotate relatively while the armholds the probability disc, switch means associated with both discs andoperated only by relative rotation of one disc with respect to theother, and cooperative index stop means on the stop disc and index armoperating to limit the rotation of the stop disc relative to theprobability disc.

15. A switch of the class described including a stop disc and aprobability disc on a common shaft means, yieldable clutch and couplingmeans for driving the discs from the shaft means and permitting holdingof the probability disc while the stop disc rotates, together with indexand stop means for the discs and operable to initiate and terminate anoperating cycle in which said discs are first held at rest, then freedfor joint rotation, and then either both stopped or the probability discstopped while the stop disc rotates a limited angular distance, therebeing a pulse switch on one disc and cooperative switch pulsing means onthe other disc for actuating the switch only when one disc rotatesrelative to the other, and commutator means for connecting a controlledinstrumentality to the pulse switch.

16. A rotary switch mechanism comprising at least two coaxially alignedrotatable members, switch means including cooperable parts on saidmembers operating said switch means responsive to relative turning ofone of the members with respect to the other; drive means including ayieldable clutch device for rotating a first one of said members; meansincluding a yieldable coupling between said members such that the firstand driven member tends to turn the second member with it; releasablebrake means for holding the first member against any rotation; stopmeans for the first member and cooperable with said brake means forpermitting a predetermined limited amount of rotation of the firstmember responsive to a release of the brake means; and angularly spacedstopping formations on the second member cooperable with said brakemeans, in a condition of release which permits turning of said firstmember, for holding the second member against rotation whilst permittinga limited amount of rotation of the first member as aforesaid to effecta relative turning of said members for actuation of the switch means asaforesaid.

17. In a rotary switch device, a shaft and a first disc jointlyrotatable therewith, a second disc coupled yieldingly to said shaft tofollow and rotate with the first disc, switch means includinginteracting parts on both discs and actuated by movement of one of saiddiscs with respect to the other, means transmitting and applying ayieldable driving torque to said shaft, releasable means movablerelative to said discs and normally holding said first disc againstrotative movement, stop means cooperable with releasable means and saidfirst disc for permitting limited turning of the latter under conditionthat said releasable means is moved into a predetermined releasingposition relative to said first disc, another stop means includingspaced parts on the second disc and a part positioned by said releasablemeans and cooperable with said second disc to stop the same againstrotation at a plurality of different positions of rotative travelthereof during rotation of the first disc, whereby relative turning ofsaid disc results for actuation of said switch means, and cooperatinglimitstop means on said discs for limiting the relative 12 rotativedisplacement thereof with respect to each other.

18. In a rotating switch device, a first disc coupled to a driven shaftfor turning the disc, means applying a yieldable driving force to saidshaft, a second disc coupled yieldingly to said shaft by a helicalspring and normally urging the second disc to follow and turn with thefirst disc provided the second disc is not restrained; mutuallyinteracting switch means carried by said discs and operable in switchingaction as a result of turning of one of the discs relative to the other,cooperable disc-indexing limit means on the discs whereby the seconddisc, urged by said spring, is indexed in a normal starting positionrelative to the first disc; releasable brake means cooperable with bothdiscs, and positionable in at least two cooperating positions relativeto angularly spaced braking and stop parts on said discs and which arecooperable with said brake means in said cooperating positions thereoffor either stopping both discs or stopping the second disc whilstpermitting the first disc to rotate a limited amount depending upon theangular situations of said stop parts relative to said brake means atthe time said second disc is stopped as aforesaid, whereby to producevarious amounts of turning displacement of one disc relative to theother to actuate said switch means, said spring acting responsive toacertain. release movement of said brake means, which frees the seconddisc, at least, to restore the second disc to said starting position,following relative displacement of the discs as aforesaid.

19. A rotary switch device including at least two coaxially rotatablediscs, means yieldingly coupling said discs for joint and independentrotative displacement, means for driving one of said discs, angularlyspaced stopping formations on both discs, a brake device movable intoand out of braking relation to said discs and the stopping formationsthereon, the latter on one disc being characterized by a predeterminedradial parameter relative to a radial parameter characteristic of thestopping formations on the other disc such that when said brake deviceis in a first position both discs may rotate, and when in a secondposition, one of said discs is stopped while the other is free to turn,and when in a third position both discs are stopped, the said stoppingformations on one disc also having a prescribed angular extent andspacing serving, when engaged by a part of said brake device, tomaintain the brake in said second position to permit relativedisplacement of the discs, together with control means includingcooperative parts operatively associated with both said discs andactuated by relative displacement thereof as aforesaid.

20. A switch including at least two concentrically and relativelyrotatable members, means yieldingly driving a first one of the members;inter-member stop means limiting the permitted relative rotationaldisplacement of said members with respect to each other; meansyieldingly urging and displacing the second one of said members relativeto the first said member to the limit permitted by the limiting stopmeans aforesaid so as to dispose said members in a normal relativeangular starting relation, said urging means also coupling saidrotatable members for joint rotation but yieldable to permit holding thesecond member whilst the 'first member turns; switch means operativelyassociated with both members, and including plural operating parts on atleast one said member, whereby said switch means is actuated one or moretimes by angular movement of one said member in traveling faster thanthe other said member, the number of times said switch means is actuatedin the permitted limited range of relative angular displacement of saidmembers being a function of the amount of such displacement in saidrange; means for releasably holding the first and driven one of saidmembers against rotation by said driving means; means cooperable withsaid holding means for restraining rotative movement of said secondmember by the first member whilst the latter is rotatively moved, and asecond stop means for arresting the rotative movement of said firstmember after a predetermined angular amount of displacement thereofrelative to said second member, following each operation of said holdingmeans, to arrest the second member as aforesaid; and radially situatedland and teeth formations of different arcuate length and angularsituation on the second member cooperable with said releasable holdingmeans to position the latter to arrest the second member at certaintimes during rotative motion of the first member without stopping thelatter, whereby relative switch-actuating displacement is effectedbetween said members by an overrunning of the first member relative tothe second member, said yieldable coupling means turning the secondmember to the limit permitted by said first stop means to overtake thefirst member and restore said angular starting relation between saidmembers upon subsequent release of the holding means following eachstopping of both members in condition of relative angular displacementfrom said starting relation by said holding means, together with meansfor actuating the holding means as aforesaid.

21. In a rotary switch, first and second concentrically rotatable discsand means yieldingly coupling the same for joint rotation and also forlimited individual rotative displacement relative to each other, switchmeans including parts carried by both discs and coacting in switchoperation responsive to rotation of one disc while the other isstationary; releasable brake means common to both discs and movable intoand out of braking positions relative thereto and further cooperablewith certain arresting formations on the second disc to arrestthe'latter and hold the brake means ineffective relative to the firstdisc whereby to permit continued rotation and overtravel of the latter;and stop means moved by the overtraveling disc into stopping engagementwith said brake means to stop the overtraveling disc in variouspositions of angular displacement relative to the arrested disc,depending upon the angular relation between said stop means and saidarresting formations on the second disc at the time the second disc isstopped, whereby said switch means is actuated dependently upon relativeangular displacement of said discs, one with respect to the other, andalso upon the degree of such angular displacement, together with meansfor releasing and applying said brake means.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 in which said arresting formationsare spaced at different angular positions of arcuate travel on thesecond disc and are of predetermined variable arcuate length to holdsaid brake means ineffective relative to the first disc for differentperiods of arcuate travel of the second disc, whereby the amount ofovertravel of the first disc may be automatically varied to modify theactuation of said switch means, determined at least by the interval, ofangular travel occurring between a release and reapplication of saidbrake means.

23. Apparatus according to claim 21 in which said switch means andoperating parts thereof carried by said discs includes a contactorcarried by one disc and a plurality of contactor-operating memberscarried by the other disc and spaced angularly at various predeterminedpositions to actuate the contactor a number of times depending upon theamount of relative angular displacement between said discs responsive toarrest of the one disc and overtravel of the other disc as set forth.

DONALD E. HOOKER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Somers Nov. 11, 1941Number

